Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is a 3,900-acre BLM-managed area north of the San Juan River, approximately 3 miles west of Navajo Reservoir in San Juan County, New Mexico. The area features moderately steep to very steep sandstone canyon terrain with riparian vegetation at the canyon floor transitioning to piñon-juniper and scattered ponderosa pine-Douglas fir at the rim. The ACEC is managed for semi-primitive recreation including fishing, hiking, backpacking, and wildlife viewing. Facilities include a gravel parking area, vault toilet, picnic area, and four primitive campsites with no drinking water on-site. Access is via non-maintained County Road 4280, approximately 3 miles from NM 173. The area contains archaeological significance including the Simon Canyon Pueblito, a Navajo defensive structure from 1754.